Getting a Ball Python?

Question

I am planning on getting a ball python. This will be my first snake, so I am trying to do all the research that I can. I understand that they grow about a foot per year. and usually reach from 4-6 feet. I have gotten different answers as per their full grown weight, so I was wondering that. Also, how long will they fit in a 10 gallon tank for? I plan to have a 30 or 40 gallon tank for when it is full grown, but am starting out with the 10 gallon. Also if anyone has any other helpful info I would love to hear it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I would not recommend a ball python for a first snake. The feeding issues they have can really make this species a pain in the butt to get eating and keep eating. Something you don't want to contend with for your first.  A 40 gl. tank is the minimum size for an adult and a bigger one would be better.  If you must have a python type snake, try a rosy boa, sand boa or even something like a children's python.  They are far easier to deal with,albeit smaller in length.  If you don't have to have a python, a cornsnake is an excellent first choice. Almost all have excellent feeding responses and will take frozen/thawed mice without issue.  Kingsnakes, while biters are another good choice.  Even a bull snake or a rat snake are great. Bull snakes get quite long and beefy and have a neat look with their heavily keeled scales. They now come in a variety of colors too.

Answer 2

balls are very good snakes... and as long as u have their temps right they will eat and shed just fine.. some do not eat durin certain times of the year (mostly durin breeding season) but most times they are great eaters

this is a good site to go to and get good info about them there are lots of people willin to answer questions

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/forum...

Answer 3

well a 10 gallon will house it until its almost 1 foot long. i would suggest getting it a 20 gallon long to start out with. but a 10 gallon will work for now. if you do get the 20, then furnish it with alot of decor. open spaces will easily overwhelm your snake. when its full grown, you will want to use something a little more closer to a 55 gallon. a 40 should work.

feed it fuzzies (baby mice with fuzz, not fur) once every week. make sure you have something rough in the tank they can use to shed since babies shed alot. uhm... wait a week to het your snake acclimated to its new surroundings before you start holding it.

email me if you have anymore questions :)

good luck!

Answer 4

A ten gallon won't do it. They grow depended on how much you feed them and their tank size. They need atleast a 20 gallon to start.

Answer 5

These snakes are tempermental - and I'd steer clear.  If you want something with more of a level personallity  look at Boa's.  Just an opinion.  

A 10 gallon wont last your ball very long.  They grow rapidly, but depending on how big he is now will determine how long he'll fit in it.

Answer 6

A 10 gallon tank should house your snake for quite some time, it takes a few years for them to be fully grown and you don't want to overwhelm them with a huge tank when they are young.  In my opinion Ball Pythons make GREAT beginner snakes.  If you research and know what you are doing it shouldn't be an issue.  I have heard of cases where the pythons go on fasts for months at a time, but I have had mine a little over 3 years and never had a problem with him eating.  They are generally very docile and make great pets, good luck with your new python =D.

Answer 7

upwards of a thousand grams or so. about 2 pounds hope this was what you were looking for.

Answer 8

make sure your snake is always able to stretch full length in his container. =)

Answer 9

I dont know very much about them but my friend has one and tells me all sorts of things. First of all,  a 10 gallon tank should be fine for a while. Im not sure how long they can grow or what its full grown weight is but I do know that you need a sharp rock ( but not to sharp) so it can rub against when it is shedding. it also eats live mice. not rats, mice ( for now anyway.) just go to Petsmart or somewhere like it and buy the mice that you can buy to be your pet. they eat like once a month. and DO NOT pick it up after it has eaten.

Answer 10

first off u know ball pythons are VERY picky eater right? especially the babies and wild caught ones. as for the ten gallon tank...it well probably only last a year or 2 the most. a 20 gallon will last most of their lives.

hope i helped good luck.

Answer 11

Well the average length is 4-5 feet, as for the weight it all depends on how much you feed it. your snake will grow about a foot a year for the first two or so years but then will slow down a bit. if you get it as a hatchling (14-18") it should be good in a 10 gallon tank for the first year but after that you will want to upgrade to at least a 20 long, but i would just go with the 40 gallon if possible. a lot of people say to feed one pinkie a week but they can take hoppers right out of the egg. i feed my two juveniles a hoppers every 4-5 days. they need more food as babys so they can grow. a good rule of thumb is to feed a meal no bigger than the thickest part of the snakes body. and try not to handle at least 24 hours after feeding. and make sure it has a hide box on the warm side and the cool side of the tank. well if you have more quesions i would be happy to help. good luck with your new pet.

2 ball pythons

1 red tail boa

2 bearded dragons

1 leopard gecko

Answer 12

It can fit in a 10 gallon but wouldn't like to. You need Lightbulbs such as heating bulbs and infrared bulb or you can use a black one. Ball Python are very picky eaters. After at least 1 or 2 weeks. Buy a F/T fuzzy. Dangle it in front of the ball. If it doesn't eat it. Next week buy a live hopper. It should work. Ball Python will only grow to 4 and a half feet in captivity. in wild they can grow 6 -7ish feet. It would be very rare if it grows to 6 feet. Err.. What else... First snake.. Dont breed. Do not house the snake with other reptiles. You can house baby ball pythons together but once its an adult you have to seperate them. Get 2 hiding spots for the ball. You can get a branch but its not neccesary. I have one though. Use aspen as bedding. Do not use soil, dirt, turf etc. I reccomend aspen.

Answer 13

just know that ball pythons can go on hunger strikes...i had one that went on hunger strike for almost a year and another one that went on strike for 6 months...but any snake can go on a hunger strike...i have a kingsnake that is on strike right now...she hasnt eaten in a month now however kingsnakes and cornsnakes dont usually go on hunger strikes for so long.  also with ball pythons they need specific humidity requirements where as kings are pretty much desert dwellers...i spray down my ball python cage at least 2 times a day...i spray down my kingsnakes cages once every other week or so.  ball pythons are recommended as beginner snakes mostly because they are pretty friendly snakes...they dont bite much however i've been bitten by one of my kingsnake 2 times and one of my ball pythons 4 times.  kingsnakes are really easy to "tame".

whatever kind of snake you get when you feed it use a separate feeding tub...just a plastic box...big enough for the snake to move around a little...from wal mart or target with holes drilled along the tops of the sides.  this keeps the snake from associating its tank with food...they are more likely to bite you if they are fed in their tank also there is a chance that they can get substrate in their mouth.

good luck!